An industry expert has claimed that the Android platform is “beginning to lose focus and becoming too fragmented.” iCreate magazine Editor Jon Gordon states that “while there’s no questioning the huge range of customisable features of Android devices, the out-of-the-box experience often doesn’t live up to expectations, and users have no choice but to look for third-party alternatives.”

As Samsung continues to push its own apps in what could be seen as an effort to distance itself from the Google-owned platform, Android users aren’t always getting everything they might be hoping for.

The open-source nature of the platform means that there are a plethora of third-party apps on offer from Google Play, and while iOS users seem to get the best apps built-in to their devices, Android users can often find better alternatives on the Store.

With manufacturers adding their own user interfaces to their devices and different devices running different versions of the OS, many predict that the platform will continue to struggle to offer a universal experience to all users.

“The Android platform is expanding at such a rate that there was always going to be some level of fragmentation between different manufactures and devices,” states Android Magazine Editor Andy Betts. “However, Android offers levels of customisation and usability that will never be achieved on any other platform, meaning people can tailor their device to work how they want it to.”

For anyone looking to improve the functionality of their phone or tablet, Android Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks offers a huge range of tutorials and guides to show you how to unlock the full potential of their device.

Whether you want to get more from the built-in apps, use your smartphone to help you in your everyday tasks, root your device to completely change the way it works or just find the best apps to improve your phone or tablet, this book will help.

Android Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks Volume 6 is on sale now from the ImagineShop, and all good newsagents priced £9.99.